Mail receptacle



Nov. 25, 1924.

c. A. RASTETTER MAIL RECEPTAGLE Filed Feb. 2 1924 M/MZZZI/ INVENTOR %%M ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 25, 1924.

" on 'reo :sT rE-s; T T OFFICE.

onannas'al a ma, or rear WAYNE, INDIANA.

MAIL. RnoEr'rAoL-E.

Application med re'bruar 2, 1924. Serial in). 690,161.

will be accessible for reception-of mail mat-v ter from the exterior of the buiding, and from which the mail matter deposited in the receptacle is removable from the interior of the house.

The object of the improvement is to pro- -vide a receptacle of its class so constructed that mail matter uponits reception will be come visible from the interior of the house and which will admit of the overflow for an excess quantity of mail matter and thus obviate choking of the receptacle. Another object is to provide both visible and audible means of indicating the delivery of mail matter into the receptacle. 7

These objects are accomplished by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a wall in which a mail receptacle embodying the invention is installed; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation showing the method of securing the telescoping box sections together.

The characters appearing in the description refer to parts shown in the drawings and designated thereon by corresponding characters.

The invention comprises a receptacle formed of two box sections 1 and 2, the latter having a flange 3 that telescopes within the section 1 and closes the rear thereof. The flanges of the sect-ion 2 are secured fixedly to the corresponding sides 4 of the section 1 by means of screws 5 that extend through said flanges and corresponding slots 6 in the sides 4. Each screw has threaded connection with a binding block 7 so that when the screw is tightened in its block, the side 4 becomes clamped between the block and the flange 3. The section 1 is positioned in the wall 8 of the house and is secured therein by screws 9 that extend into the outer sheeting 10 of the wall, and the margin 11 surrounding the section 2, extends beyond the flange 2-3 and overlaps the plastering12 adjacent the rear end of the section .1. i

The receptacle hasin its upper portion areceiving chute 13 that extends through the sheeting and the weather boarding 14 of the wall, the outer end of the chute being provided witha hinged cover 15 by which it is normally closed. The section 2 has a door 16-.thatswings upon a horizontal axis, there being a pin 17 at each side of the 'section 2 that extends.throughthe correspond ing'side flange 18 of the door.

A stop19 fixed within the sectionl'is positioned so astoenga-ge the inner end of the door when it reaches its horizontal PO51? tion, the stop having a strip 20 of :felt against which the door impinges and which deadens the shock of its contact with the stop. The door also has at the lower end of each of its side flanges a counter-weight 21 that tends to retain the door in closed position. But, the counterweights are of insuflicient size as to overbalance the opposite end of the door when the door is in horizontal position, and therefore the door, when open, tends to remain in horizontal position. The pivots 17 are so located relative to the center of gravity of the weighted door that the preponderence of the weight, as the door swings from closed position to open position, and vice versa, passes over the axis upon which the door swings, and thus the door is held open or closed by its own inertia.

A lever 22 is loosely mounted on a stud 23 that projects from one side 4 of the receptacle and has a link connection 24 with a bracket 25 that projects from the inner face of the cover 15 into the chute so that when the cover is swung open the lever 22 is turned upon the stud with its lower end impinging against the adjacent side 18 of the door causing the door to open.

A pair of insulated electrical contact points 26 are positioned within the receptacle and have connection respectively with conductors 27 which are connected in circuit with an electric bell and source of energy therefor (not shown). The contact points are so located with respect to the upper end of the lever 22 that the electrical circuit becomes closed by the contact of the lever with said points during its inward and outward movements.

Also in the upper part of the receptacle is medium of the rod by the lever 22.

In the operation of the invention, mail matter is delivered by swinging the cover open and inserting the mail matter through,

the chute into the receptacle. The raising of the :cover causes the lever22 to open-the door so that it-assumes horizontal position and exposes the interior of the receptacle.

The mail matter. passing through the chute lo'dgesupon the horizontally positioned door in. clear: view of the occupantof the house. Also as the cover is manipulated the circuit of the electrical bell is closed causing the bell, which may be remotely located,

of the cover. In this manner the deposit of to be sounded-as well as the mechanical bell which is also actuated through movements mail matter into the-receptacle is annunciated by the bells and-visibly indicated by its lodgment upon the open door. Whenthe door is horizontal the receptacle is open so that in "thehevent of a large quantity of mail-Ima tter-is delivered at. one time, or by' repeated 1 deliveries, the overplus willpass from the'chute through the receptacle and over the doorinto the room of the building without becoming jammed in the receptacle which would interfere with a. further introduction of mail matter.

WVhat I claim is:

In a device of the class described, a receptacle composed of two telescoping sections; adoor in one of'said sections pivoted to swing upon a horizontal axis located below its centre of gravity and'tending to remain open or closed by its inertia; a chute having communication with the receptacle through the upper part of the other section, includ-' mg a hinged cover for same; apivoted lever having actuated relation with the cover and operable .to' swing the door open a stop to limit the opening movement of the door when it reaches horizontal position; and annunciating means in connection with an o-p-' erable by the lever, said door, when open,

serving as a shelf. for lodgment of the mail matter introduced through the chute.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. 

